Device for pressurizing limbs

Abstract

A device for applying pressure to a body limb comprising a sleeve containing individually inflatable cells each cell being subdivided into longitudinally extending confluent compartments that are inflated and deflated essentially simultaneously. A device for applying pressure to a body comprising the massaging sleeve, means for the intermittent inflation selected cells of the sleeve; and means for determining a temporo-spatial regime of cell inflation. A method for immobilizing a fractured bone in a limb comprising inserting the limb into the sleeve and inflating all the cells in the sleeve. A method of massaging a limb of the body of an individual, comprising inserting the limb into the sleeve and inflating the cells of the sleeve according to a predetermined temporo-spatial regime.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for immobilizing a fractured bone in a limb comprising; inserting the limb into a massaging sleeve, said sleeve containing one or more individually inflatable cells, each cell being subdivided into two or more longitudinally extending confluent compartments along the axis of the limb, and 
       inflating all the cells in the sleeve.  
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fractional decrease in the circumference upon inflation is 0.36. 
     
     
       3. A method of massaging a limb of the body of an individual, comprising: 
       inserting the limb to be treated into a massaging sleeve, said sleeve containing one or more individually inflatable cells, each cell being subdivided into two or more longitudinally extending confluent compartments along the axis of the limb, and  
       inflating the sleeve according to a predetermined temporo-spatial regime.  
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fractional decrease in the circumference upon inflation is 0.36.